Britons face Thai drug charges

Britons face Thai drug charges

Stephen Wilcox, 39, and Andrew Flannaghan, 33, were arrested in Thailand

Two Britons have been arrested in Thailand on drug trafficking charges which carry a potential death penalty.

The two men, both reportedly from Leicester, were arrested on Monday separately in Bangkok and the southern island of Koh Samui.

Andrew Flannaghan, 33, was arrested when he was found allegedly carrying 1.3 kilograms (2.86 pounds) of heroin after arriving from Koh Samui by bus, the AFP news agency reported.

His compatriot Stephen Wilcox, 39, was also arrested after drugs were allegedly found in his home on the tourist island of Koh Samui.

Early days

A Thai police spokesman said: "Both suspects confessed to the charges and said a Thai man was the mastermind."

Police said Mr Flannaghan claimed Wilcox had paid him about £350 to ship the heroin to Bangkok.

We haven't done a consulate visit yet but I am sure we will do when we are given access

Foreign Office spokesman

The two men face drug trafficking charges and, under Thai law, they could be executed if found guilty.

However, in the past, most sentences have been commuted to life imprisonment.

Mr Flannaghan is also reported to have been charged with illegal entry into Thailand because he was unable to produce his passport to Thai police.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office confirmed the two men had been arrested on Monday in Thailand on drug charges.

He said: "It is early days yet as the police are still questioning them.

"We haven't done a consulate visit yet but I am sure we will do when we are given access."